From: Center for Food Safety [action@foodsafetynow.org]
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2001 10:39 AM
To: FDA Commissioner
Cc: president@whitehouse.gov; vice.president@whitehouse.gov;
fdadockets@oc.fda.gov; fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Oppose the New FDA Regulations on GE Foods!
FDA Commissioner Jane Henney
Dockets Management Branch (HFA 305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fisher's Lane, rm. 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
RE: Docket No. 00N-1396, and 00D-1598
Dear Ms. Henney,
I am disappointed by your new policies on genetically engineered (GE)
foods. Despite overwhelming consumer demand, your agency does not require
safety testing and mandatory labeling for GE foods. The proposed
“notification” policy provides no information to consumers and ignores
strong scientific evidence of potential health and environmental risks
from GE foods. These foods may be toxic, cause allergic responses, have
lower nutrition value, compromise immune systems, and cause irreparable
damage to the environment.
I also oppose your new “voluntary labeling” policy, which denies consumers
a basic right to know. Without mandatory labeling, neither consumers nor
health professionals will be aware if an allergic or toxic reaction was
the result of a genetically engineered food. Consumers will also be
deprived of the critical knowledge they need to hold food producers
responsible should any of these novel foods prove hazardous.
Your proposed rules ignore serious concerns and appear to be made on
behalf of industry at the expense of public health and the environment.
Consumers have a right to know what they are eating.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Palmer Olsen
Cynthia Palmer Olsen
3311A South Wakefield St.
Arlington, VA, 22206
CC:
The President
Vice President Dick Cheney
FDA Dockets Management [Docket No. 00N-1396]
Senator John W. Warner
Senator George Allen
Representative James P. MoranFDA Dockets Management [Docket No. 00D-1598]
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